Unfortunately, there is a lot of information on how the problem of the digital divide is still continuing and not a lot of solutions to help fix the problem. In my opinion, the best way to start to close the digital divide is to focus on implementing technology in the classroom rather than both in the classroom and in the home or just in the home. It is not reasonable to ask for the type of funding and support to allow every student to have access to the Internet both in the classroom and at home, although hopefully we reach that stage someday. If students were given Internet access only in the home and not necessarily in school, it would be impossible for teachers to teach basic computer skills they may need one day in the future. The first step in implementing technology in the education system and in some homes is the service program, E-Rate. “E-Rate is structured based upon a priority system favoring the most disadvantaged applicants and provides public and private schools and libraries with discounts of 20%-90% for: telecommunications services, Internet access, internal connections and maintenance of internal connections” (SETDA, 22). With the help of E-Rate, schools and some disadvantaged families can gain access to the Internet at a cheaper cost.
To help close the digital divide, teachers need to be well equipped to be able to teach students how to use technology. A big problem with the issue of accessibility isn’t just do the students have access to the Internet, but the students need to be taught the skills to be able to use it effectively. Every teacher that uses technology in the classroom should be required to take multiple workshops. Before implementing it into the classroom, they should know more than the basics of the program or type of technology they will be using. If technology is not used correctly and to its best ability in the classroom, the students will not gain as much knowledge from it. Schools should also focus on getting the most out of the technology they have. If several teachers specialize in certain areas of technology, have teachers team up to close the bridge between classrooms. Also, funding should not go towards have multiple types of technology advancements. Funding should stay focused on intensive training and the up-keep of the technology.
In regards to the global digital divide, Digital Divide Institute (DDI) has developed a model to help assist with the problem. “Our model shows how the ‘bottom four billion’ world population – those who have been excluded from global markets till now, could be integrated into the global market economy, in ways that bring ‘equitable growth’ to each participating nation” (DDI). Digital Divide Institute focuses on five innovations: public policy and regulatory innovation, technological innovation, financial innovation, management innovation, and ethical innovation (DDI). At this time, they are focused on helping four Southeast Asian countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Viet Nam. In countries that have little access to the Internet, I think the first step is increasing the access to education. Information Communications Technology Centers in Education (ICT) have allowed students to become familiar with various pieces of technology such as computers. Most countries that have implemented ICT’s into their education system only use them in upper level classes, not primary school. If ICT’s are continued to be implemented in other countries around the world, we may see a decrease in the gap of the digital divide.For more information visit the following links:
Wikipedia - Provides many possible solutions to help solve the global digital divide
Multicultural Teaching and Learning with the Internet - A PowerPoint presentation regarding the digital divide, its affects, and solutions
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